Question

Explain which characteristics of an electron are described by the principal quantum number and the angular momentum number. Predict why the principle quantum number could never be zero or a negative number.

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Answer 1

Principal quantum number :(n): it signifies the principal shell(energy level) to which the electron belongs to. I,e it describes the distance of an electron from the nucleus. Hence larger the value of 'n' it means farther is the electron from the nucleus, larger the size of the orbital, larger is the size of the atom.

n value can only be a positive integer and cannot to negative or a zero. Because there is no energy level(shell) in an atom with zero energy or negative energy.

Orbital angular momentum quantum number :(l): also known as azimuthal quantum number which signifies shape of the orbital i,e the angular distribution of electrons around the nucleus.